Game-counter.



No. 729,839. PATENTED JUNE 2, 1903.

E. T. BURROWES.

GAME COUNTER.

APPLICATION nun um. e. 1903.

N0 MODEL.

W n/4M.- I

UNITED STATES Patented. June 2, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

EDXVARD T. BURROVVES, OF PORTLAND, MAINE.

GAM E-COU NTER.

SPECIFICATIONforming part of Letters Patent No. 729,839, dated June 2, 1903.

Application filed January 6, 1903. Serial No'. 137,986. (No model.)

To roll whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD T. BURROWES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Portland, in the county of Cumberland and State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game-Counters,

of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanyin g drawings.

This invention relates to improvements in game-counters, and more particularly to a counter attachment for game tables, boards, or the like, and has for its object the provision of novel means for securing the at tachment in place and, further, the provision of instrumentalities for preventing accidental movement of the counting devices.

Novel details in the construction and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter more particularly set forth, will be readily understood upon an inspection of the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, and wherein a preferable embodiment of the invention is shown for the purpose of illustration.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of the rail of a game-table or the like, showing one form of counter attachment applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view on the line so 00 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a similar sectional view on the line y 3 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 4: is a longitudinal sectional view.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views, 1 is a portion of the top rail of a gametable or the like, having a longitudinally-disposed grooved portion 2, preferably in its upper surface, said grooved portion being of a width sufficient to admit the tip of the forefinger, and preferably having a curved bottom 2.

3 designates securing-plugs fitting in the ends of the groove 2 and having a diameter slightly greater than the width of said'groove, so as to be held therein by frictional contact when the same are driven in place.

t is a wire or rod fitting in apertures in the lower portion of the plugs 3, and 5 represents centrally-apertured beads or counters held in the groove by the rod 4, the upper edges of the beads occupying a plane below the upper surface of the rail, while the lower edges thereof contact with the surface of the rail surrounding the groove, so as to create a frictional engagement therebetween whereby the beads may be effectively retained in any ad j usted position along the rod a. The periphery of each bead is substantially flat, being curved at the edges of the bead only, thus facilitatinga sliding engagement thereof with the base of the grooved portion 2 of the rail, the rod 4 being so mounted that the lower surface thereof constantly engages the beads to forcibly preserve the frictional engagement between the edges of the beads and the base of said grooved portion.

The advantages of my improvements are apparent. The groove 2 being of a width sufficient to admit the tip of the forefinger, the beads 5 may be moved to any desired position along the bar, and the beads 5 being positioned below the upper surface of the rail and in frictional contact with the bottom of the grooved portion 2 any accidental movement of the same is prevented.

When it is desired to remove the attachment for any reason, it is simply necessary to forcibly withdraw the plugs 3 from their seats.

It is to be understood that I do not limit my invention to an attachment for game boards, tables, &c., as it can obviously be made a separate article, in which case the rail 1 will constitute a suitable base for the same.

Many minor changes in the details of construction and arrangement of the parts may be made without in the least departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A game-counter of the character described comprising a support, frictionally-retarded counters thereon, and means for adjusting the frictional contact ofsaid counters including adjustable plugs, and a rod connected to said plugs and engaging each counter.

2. A game counter of the character described comprising a support, shiftable counters thereon and means for securing said coun "tors in place, including adjustable plugs, and

a rod connected to said plugs adapted to be ad justed therewith and engaging each counter.

3. A game counter of the character described, comprising a support, plugs inserted into said support and held therein by frictional engagement therewith, a rod supported by said plugs and arranged therebetween, the ends of said rod projecting into said plugs and slidable counters on said rod; substantially as described.

l. A game-counter of the character described comprisingasupport havingagrooved portion, plugs inserted into said grooved portion and held therein by frictional engagement therewith, a rod supported by said plugs and arranged therebetween, and slid able counters on said rod arranged in said grooved portion; substantially as described.

5. In a game-counter or" the character described, a grooved support, a series of frictionally-retarded counters arranged in the groove, and means for regulating the frictional contact of said counters, including adjustable plugs, and a rod secured to said plugs and engaging each counter.

6. In a counter of the character described, a grooved support, a series of counters arranged in the groove, and means for securing the counters in place, including adjust-able plugs, and a rod secured to said plugs and engaging each of said counters.

7. A game-counter comprising a suitable support having a grooved portion, slidable counters fitting in the grooved portion, a rod passing through apertures in the counters and plugs for securing the rod in place and operatively associated therewith to retain the counters in frictional contact with the grooved portion of the support; as and for the purposes specified.

8. In a game-counter the combination of a suitable support having a grooved portion, oppositely-arranged plugs inserted into said grooved portion and held therein by frictional contact therewith, a rod fitting in apertures in the lower portion of the plugs, and counters slidably mounted on the rod and frictionally engaging the grooved portion of the support; substantially as and for the pur poses specified.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD T. BURROWES.

Witnesses:

ARTHUR H. MAOLEOD, FRANK L. RICKER. 

